Indiana State University Newsroom

Two appointed to Insurance Advisory Council

May 14, 2008

Two insurance industry executives have been appointed to the Insurance Advisory Council of the Indiana State University College of Business.

Named to the council were Kevin Kelly of Zionsville, Ind., regional vice president of State Auto Insurance, and Mike Vaught of Venice, Fla., senior vice president of sales with Zurich North America Commercial, Schaumburg, Ill.

Kelly is a 23-year industry veteran, who is based at the Indianapolis regional office of Columbus, Ohio-based State Auto. He is responsible for the sales and profitability of property and casualty business in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. He holds a bachelorÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s degree in finance from Eastern Illinois University.

An Indiana State alumnus whose career in the insurance industry began in 1981, Vaught is responsible for leading existing strategic relationships and identifying additional opportunities to capitalize Zurich's product offerings with banks and emerging agency network affiliations.

The 23-member Insurance Advisory Council serves as a liaison with the insurance and financial community. Members seek to provide information, promote cooperation and goodwill, and secure support for the universityÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s insurance and risk management program.

The council strives to bring about a better understanding and appreciation of the insurance industry and its contribution to society and the economy; provide resources and opportunities for students and faculty; assist in developing seminars, forums and conferences; and encourage professional competence and high ethical standards for the industry.

The insurance and risk management program is part of Indiana StateÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s financial services curriculum, designated by the university in 2007 as one of only two Programs of National Distinction. The designation is in conjunction with a $1.75 million initiative, funded in part by a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, aimed at strengthening ISU programs with national or regional reputations for quality, and building programs that have the potential to achieve that status.

Story Highlights

Kevin Kelly of Zionsville, Ind., regional vice president of State Auto Insurance, and Mike Vaught of Venice, Fla., senior vice president of sales with Zurich North America Commercial of Shaumburg, Ill. have been named to the Insurance Advisory Council of the Indiana State University College of Business.